2022 Honda Passport TrailSport takes first step to a more rugged future

Honda's TrailSport era begins here, with the refreshed 2022 Passport. TrailSport, remember, is the new off-road focused trim that's Honda both taking advantage of prevailing currents and asking the room, "Have you forgotten who we are and what we can do?" With the current lineup going Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, we believe the rugged player will slot below the Elite. Honda didn't mention Sport or Touring in its press release, so we'll see if there are changes in store for the trim steps.

Eventually, the trim will turn into a range of hardcore factory-fitted and aftermarket equipment. For now, the Passport puts on a Ridgeline-like makeover to make itself more appealing to the mountain hike and bike set. The TrailSport's front fascia is straight off the pickup, the grille in these first images a riff on the grille that comes on a Ridgeline equipped with HPD Package. We're inclined to think this will be the standard grille on the Passport TrailSport. An HPD package is on the way for the crossover, but that will come with the expected black fender flares and HPD graphics. Honda says there's a "pronounced power bulge" on the hood, but either these photos have flattened the bulge, or the bulge is merely pronounced differently than the bulges on the current Passport hood. For Passport connoisseurs, the accent bar connecting the headlights will be finished in chrome on the EX-L trim, gloss black on TrailSport and Elite. In addition to wearing new orange trim identifier, the Passport Trailsport gets gloss black badging instead of chrome.

The rear fits a new, more sculpted bumper with larger dual exhaust finishers, and a painted representation of a skid plate to match the front end. A more useful backwoods features is the heated seating area for the windshield wipers.